Health Facilities Commission advances pediatric emergency care rules to modernize standards for children

Katie Thomas, legislative presenter for the Health Facilities Commission, told the joint Government Operations committee the permanent-rule packet is intended to modernize standards for pediatric emergency-care facilities across the state and to improve care for children.

"These are permanent rules that intend to modernize the standards for pediatric emergency care facilities and improve the quality of care for children across the state," Thomas said. She listed key changes that include state designation of pediatric trauma centers, requirements for pediatric intensive care units and the addition of pediatric emergency care coordinator physicians responsible for readiness.

During public comment John Proctor, a pediatric emergency physician representing the Tennessee College of Emergency Physicians, sought a technical clarification about a short certification requirement. "Physicians who have completed a 3 or 4 year residency in the specialty of emergency medicine should not be mandated to take a 1 or 2 day course," Proctor said; the committee recorded on the record that board‑certified emergency physicians would be excluded from the short-course mandate in the interpretive guidance.

Committee members asked no further substantive questions and moved the rules forward. The Senate reported seven ayes on the roll call and the House took a voice vote; the chair announced the packet will proceed to government operations with a positive recommendation.